Picked up a used Stihl MS261

[snpower]

Just under $300; guy bought a lot of goods at an estate sale and this was in it. Body is in good shape, bar pretty worn. I cut down two 2.5 or so diameter oaks and sectioned them up, that thing didn't miss a beat. Hope it holds up! It'll complement my MS250 quite nicely.

 

[RobertN]

I'm a big fan of the 024/026/26x saws. Nice size and handle really well for that size/class of saw.

 

[dodge man]

I own a MS250 and MS261 also. You’re going to like that 261 a lot.

 

[yomax4]

I have an 026 pro with muff mod. I would never sell it. Little screamer !

 

[5030]

Stihl's last a long time if you take care of them. I own a 45 year old 028 Wood Boss I bought new and it runs like a top. It only gets synthetic fuel (Red Armor 50-1) and I've been through a few bars and many chains.

 

[snpower]

Stihl's last a long time if you take care of them. I own a 45 year old 028 Wood Boss I bought new and it runs like a top. It only gets synthetic fuel (Red Armor 50-1) and I've been through a few bars and many chains.

Interesting… never have run across Red Armor. How is that better than say Stihl Motomix (or equivalent)? I noticed it said it stabilizes fuel for up to two years…

 

[Hay Dude]

I also have a 261C and have run it hard. Seems to be holding up well

 

[xyz123]

Wondering which genration of the 261 it is. The Gen 1 was heavier and ran ok. The Gen 2 3 and thinking up to 4 now are much lighter and run better.

Can tell by clutch cover and cylinder if normal or slanted back.

Older Gen1 weighs 1lb more then the newer ones.

I take care of a 261 Gen1 for local bought new.

Top Gen1. Gen2 and newer bottom the lighter better ones.

 

[JeepHead]

Just under $300; guy bought a lot of goods at an estate sale and this was in it. Body is in good shape, bar pretty worn. I cut down two 2.5 or so diameter oaks and sectioned them up, that thing didn't miss a beat. Hope it holds up! It'll complement my MS250 quite nicely.

Good saw! Parts are everywhere, cheap and easy to rebuild when it ever needs it.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I have the new style 261 C-M which is an M-tronic saw.

A few years in and its has been absolutely fantastic saw other than always needing 3 pulls to start. Never less and never more??.

with a 20" blade it seems to be the fastest through the round cutting I saw I own. A real racehorse.

This version is like 50% more hp than the stihl 250 but the same weight! makes it easy to use all day.

you got a good buy I think.

cheers

 

[5030]

Interesting… never have run across Red Armor. How is that better than say Stihl Motomix (or equivalent)? I noticed it said it stabilizes fuel for up to two years…

Echo Red Armor is sold at every Echo retail dealer as well as online. They offer concentrated pre mix as well as their pre mix in syn fuel. I won't use corn squeezed gas and concentrated pre mix simply because my saws and related power equipment can sit idle for long periods and corn squeezed fuel tends to go bad and gum up carbs as well as destroy fuel lines. VP, and Tru-Fuel are alternative products and Tractor Supply sells VP in quarts, gallons and 2.5 gallon containers. I also use Red Armor syn fuel in my overwintering small engine powered equipment so they start in the spring.

 

[5030]

I have the new style 261 C-M which is an M-tronic saw.

A few years in and its has been absolutely fantastic saw other than always needing 3 pulls to start. Never less and never more??.

with a 20" blade it seems to be the fastest through the round cutting I saw I own. A real racehorse.

This version is like 50% more hp than the stihl 250 but the same weight! makes it easy to use all day.

you got a good buy I think.

cheers

How fast or slow any saw cuts is entirely dependent on how sharp the loop is and in my experience, the majority of chainsaw owners really don't have a clue about proper sharpening of chainsaw loops. They 'think' they do, but in reality, they don't have a clue.

 

[JeepHead]

I have the new style 261 C-M which is an M-tronic saw.

A few years in and its has been absolutely fantastic saw other than always needing 3 pulls to start. Never less and never more??.

with a 20" blade it seems to be the fastest through the round cutting I saw I own. A real racehorse.

This version is like 50% more hp than the stihl 250 but the same weight! makes it easy to use all day.

you got a good buy I think.

cheers

My 261CM is the exact same way, 3 pulls no matter how warm or cold. But if you think the 261 is fast, grab a Husqvarna 550 XP, it absolutely smokes my 261. I like to run 16" bars on my 50cc saws though and 20's on my 60cc saws.

 

[JeepHead]

How fast or slow any saw cuts is entirely dependent on how sharp the loop is and in my experience, the majority of chainsaw owners really don't have a clue about proper sharpening of chainsaw loops. They 'think' they do, but in reality, they don't have a clue.

While a sharp chain definitely matters, it is NOT the only criteria on how fast a saw cuts, obviously....

 

[5030]

Other factors involved, I agree, but a dull chain is the main reason why ANY saw cuts poorly. Not an issue here as I always carry a spare SHARP loop with me when I'm out with any of my saws and when I replace a dull loop, I also flip the bar over at the same time.

Easy to tell when a loop is getting dull, by the amount of swarf that builds on the heel of the cutter. When you start building up swarf on the heel of the cutters, it's time to change loops.

A dull chain, no matter how much grunt a powerhead has, results in poor cutting, lots of sawdust instead of chips and bad results.

Additionally, I never hand sharpen a saw chain, I always machine grind them. Using a machine grinder maintains the proper cutting angles and eliminates the human 'wobble' factor entirely.

 

[xyz123]

Only thing I dont like about the MKII 550 is it gained weight and even weighs more then the Gen1 261 did even.

Just a hair over 12lbs PHO dry now.
That is getting very close to the 359 357 562 weights. Mise well run a 60cc.

But they do cut good.

I loved my lighter 550 545 OE ones before they changed them.

Also pay attention already more updates on the MKII 550 due to their bearings. Changed makers. I have all the info saved.

Run at least 40:1 in those IMO if you have the old bearings.

359 PHO weight and add for that pipe in muffler too.

 

[JeepHead]

Other factors involved, I agree, but a dull chain is the main reason why ANY saw cuts poorly. Not an issue here as I always carry a spare SHARP loop with me when I'm out with any of my saws and when I replace a dull loop, I also flip the bar over at the same time.

Easy to tell when a loop is getting dull, by the amount of swarf that builds on the heel of the cutter. When you start building up swarf on the heel of the cutters, it's time to change loops.

A dull chain, no matter how much grunt a powerhead has, results in poor cutting, lots of sawdust instead of chips and bad results.

Additionally, I never hand sharpen a saw chain, I always machine grind them. Using a machine grinder maintains the proper cutting angles and eliminates the human 'wobble' factor entirely.

I will agree with this.

I hand file every chain which is a big task because I cut as ton of wood. I have been thinking about buying the Oregon Professional series chain grinder.

 

[JeepHead]

Only thing I dont like about the MKII 550 is it gained weight and even weighs more then the Gen1 261 did even.

Just a hair over 12lbs PHO dry now.
That is getting very close to the 359 357 562 weights. Mise well run a 60cc.

But they do cut good.

I loved my lighter 550 545 OE ones before they changed them.

Also pay attention already more updates on the MKII 550 due to their bearings. Changed makers. I have all the info saved.

Run at least 40:1 in those IMO if you have the old bearings.

359 PHO weight and add for that pipe in muffler too.

View attachment 1944111View attachment 1944112

I bought a brand new 359 about a year after it came out. Went through a divorce shortly after that and had to sell it. It was a great saw! I keep my eye out for a used one but rarely ever see them come up around here....

 

[xyz123]

I bought a brand new 359 about a year after it came out. Went through a divorce shortly after that and had to sell it. It was a great saw! I keep my eye out for a used one but rarely ever see them come up around here....

Mine is ported. But there is a stock one about 40mins south of me. Think the guy wants 350.

I sold a couple of the stock 2159 over the years and my bad to the bone ported 357. Those are even nice stock 357.

Years back testing. 12" hardwood same chain 3/8 on all saws.

stock husky 346xp 50cc 3/8 7T 5.63 5.62

stock dolmar 5105 with 5100 muffler 3/8 7T 5.59 5.50

stock partner 5000 , 3/8 7T 5.47 5.84

stock 357xp, 3/8 7T 4.29 4.34

 

[5030]

I will agree with this.

I hand file every chain which is a big task because I cut as ton of wood. I have been thinking about buying the Oregon Professional series chain grinder.

I have 2 of them actually. One for sharpening cutter teeth and the other for cutting rakers. I sharpen lots for all my arborist customers. Back in the day they would just toss a dull loop because they were cheap. They aren't now so I get to sharpen them as it's less expensive to sharpen than toss. Least quality saw chain. Not a clue about the import stuff as I don't buy it. I also make up new loops and keep bulk chain on hand.